A team of doctors at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has successfully carried out Pakistan’s first total arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk (Tarfet) technique. The surgery, most technically demanding in cardiac surgery was performed free of cost, under the Sindh government’s healthcare programme.

The procedure was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Ugursay Kiziltepe, a cardiovascular surgeon from Türkiye, alongside NICVD’s surgical team.

“It was an honour to work with such a capable and committed team,” said Prof. Kiziltepe. “This operation required precision and coordination at every stage and marks an important development in Pakistan’s medical field.”

The local team included Dr. Khuzaima Tariq and Prof. Asad Bilal Awan from NICVD, Dr. Muhammad Fahad from the Trauma Centre Karachi, and Prof. Amin M. Khuwaja, Consultant Anaesthesiologist at NICVD.

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Dr. Tariq said the success of the operation represents an important step for cardiac surgery in Pakistan.

He stated that performing this procedure with the modified frozen elephant trunk technique is a major milestone for the NICVD.

He further explained that the surgery replaces the aortic arch without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and combines surgical and endovascular repair, a method used in advanced cardiac centres worldwide.

Prof. Awan noted that such operations are rare even in major international hospitals, while Dr. Fahad said the outcome reflected the teamwork between Turkish and Pakistani specialists.

Prof. Khuwaja said maintaining patient stability during the 16-hour procedure was one of the biggest challenges, adding that the patient’s recovery has been steady.

The boy, who had a life-threatening aortic condition, is now in stable condition. The cost of such a surgery in private healthcare would be around Rs6 million, but it was carried out entirely free of cost through the Sindh government’s support.

NICVD Executive Director Prof. Tahir Saghir said the achievement reflects the institute’s growing medical capability.

“This success belongs to the entire NICVD team,” he said, thanking the Sindh Chief Minister and Health Minister for supporting free cardiac care in the province.

He reaffirmed that NICVD will continue providing advanced cardiac treatment to patients from across the country without any charges.